Autumn Feast - Charlie Richards Page 0,57

a better place. That’s not going to happen unless we work together.” He had shaggy brown hair with gray spots near his temples and narrow, intelligent eyes.

Orji, the matriarch of the largest lion pride represented, stood up. Her skin was ebony, while her long hair was the golden wheat of her cat. She held her shoulders back and paused, ensuring everyone was listening. “And do you fear going against your leader? Prichard is a powerful shifter.”

“He is. He has a huge following, and I know this will split the pack.” He took another step into the room. “I’m not without my own followers. And... I suspect this move would gain me even more. There are many who would rather back me, who are afraid of Prichard and his loyal wolves.”

“And what are we to expect with war between wolves?” someone asked, but Donner didn’t catch who.

“Better than what we’re getting now,” another voice spoke up, and the crowd began talking amongst themselves, creating a ruckus.

Martin pulled out a large rock from his pocket and banged it on the table. “Listen. Order.” The rock belonged to the head of the council and was passed to each new leader to be used as a token of respect and peace among us. Everyone quieted once it was out, and the meeting officially came to order.

Donner nodded at Rory to step out. Even though he was Donner’s mate, he wasn’t part of the council. He left the room, and Donner looked to Martin to continue.

“We’re here to vote Prichard out and vote Brayton in. The fall out will be what it is, and we can deal with it as we go forward. The war on the deer must stop. It’s not only Donner’s red deer suffering. Different deer shifters across the globe struggle with the wolves’ vicious pursuits. If lions and hyenas can sit at the table together, so can wolf and deer.”

Orji glanced at the hyena leader across the room, but the hyena ignored her. Donner would take indifference over aggression.

Martin tapped the rock twice on the table to open the floor to questions. “Any relevant questions?”

They had all been briefed on the topic, so no one spoke up. Martin held the rock in the air, calling for one last request to speak. When no one did, he tapped the rock twice more. “We vote. Everyone, stand.”

Everyone stood up with chairs scratching across the hardwood floor. A few were already standing, but they would sit on the floor if needed once Martin called the vote.

“All in favor of this change, please sit. Those opposed, remain standing.”

Almost everyone sat down. The few who did not surprised Donner. Closely related species, the red fennec and artic fox stood. Donner didn’t hold it against them. Loyalty was only part of it—fear, the other. Several rabbits and sheep also stayed standing, afraid of going against Prichard and having him redirect his target to them.

Donner didn’t blame them, but they were wrong. He cleared his throat. “Once Prichard is finished with the deer, where do you think he’ll go next?”

Martin tapped his rock on the table. “You missed your time for questions, Donner. Even though you have a good one.”

Two rabbits sat. They had the majority without them, but changing their minds was a more important win.

Two bird species argued in the back of the room until, with a huff, they both sat.

“Anyone else changing their vote?” Martin asked. No one moved. “For the record. We’re recording those voting no. However, the majority is yes. Brayton now represents the wolves on the council.” Martin turned and shook Brayton’s hand. Everything went back to being normal and joyous.

Then Brayton turned to face Donner. He smiled, but it looked far more smug than expected. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. The change was a huge power-move for Brayton, even within his part of the pack, but the larger wolf hierarchy as well. It positioned him to challenge Prichard, and he might win. Donner hoped the vulture would make it so they’d never have to find out.

After everyone left, the house seemed quiet and spacious. Donner breathed a sigh of relief, then helped Rory get the house back in order. They ate, then went upstairs to watch a movie with the kids. They piled onto the couch, and Ferdinand even snuggled up with Finley. Half of them were asleep by the time the movie ended.

Ferdinand scampered off to his bed, while Donner helped get Alana and Finley tucked into theirs. They both balked